Appleton, WI vs Madison, AL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Madison
76.4
#352 nationally
Appleton leads in walk score (44 vs 17). Madison leads in median household income ($118,132 vs $75,469). Appleton leads in cost of living index (94 vs 106).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Madison, AL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 76.4 (#352) |
| Population | 74,719 | 60,854 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $378,797 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $118,132 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 20.3 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 17 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | R+43.9 |
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
C
76.4 Score
Madison, AL
Alabama community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$378,797
Population
60,854
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
17
Southeast
View Madison, AL →